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1 Under s|ff By frede: - Author o! Copyright. 1906. by the 9 CHAPTER V. aHROUGH the flowery path, no narrow her gown brushed the leave* on either aide, the Princess Louise appeared, walking slowly. Intently the jester watched her drew near and ever nearer , their common trystlng spot, her favorite garden nook. A handsome bride, forsooth, as Jacqueline had suggested. DAH tn white was she now, a glittering white, with silver adornment mvUii. Ingiy hymeneal. A bride for a duke or a king, more stately than the qneen, handsomer than the favorite of favorites who ruled the king and France. "Jacqueline," she said, evincing neither surprise nor any other emotion as he approached, "go and fetch my fan. 1 believe 'tis in the king's antechamber." "Madam carried no fan when"? began the girl. 1 "Then 'tis somewhere else. Do not bandy words, but find it." Sinking on the beuch as the maid walked quickly away, she remained 1 for some momenta In silent thought, a -reverie the Jester forbore to disturb. 1 Against the clambering ivy which for 1 centuries had reveled In this chosen spot lay her hand, a small ring of curl' ous workmanship gleaming from her finger. The ring caused the Jester to r start, remembering he had last seen It ( d* worn by the king. Idly the Princess Ixrolse plucked a ' leaf from the old. old vine, picked it ' opart and let the pieces float away, j Aa they fluttered and fell at tbe Jester's feet she regarded hi in, with thoughtful blue eyes. j nuw mr is u," sue asked, "to the duke's principality?" It he had doubted the maid's story he wan now convinced. The ring and her question confirmed Jacqueline's narrative. "About fifteen days' journey, princess," he replied. "No farther?" "Barring accidents, it may be made In that time." Rho did not notice how dull was his tone, how he avoided her gaxe. Blind to him, she turned the ring around and -.. arfuqd on bSr - finger, as .{hough hsr thoughts were concentrated'on It. "Accidents," she repeated, her hand now motionless. "Is the way perilous?" "The country la most unsettled." "What do you mean by unsettled!" she coutiuued, bending forward with fingers clasped over her knees. "The country is infested with many roving bands commanded by tbe so calM independent barons who owe alIcriIai oe to neither king nor emperor," I he nnawered. "Their homes are perched, like eagles' nests, upon some mountain peak that commands tbe valleys travelers must proceed through. i fierce, untamed crew, bent on rapine j uuu muruer; "D1<1 you encounter any such?" gently "Ofttlmes." "And left unscathed?" "Because I was a jester, madam; some thing less than man; a lordllng's *ia verl^omp*Vs plaything! Their senv tluels shored with me their flasks; I slept before their signal fires nnd even supped in the heart of their stone fast* nesses. Fools and monks are safe among them, for the one amuses and the other absolves their sins. Yet Is there one free baron," he added reflectively, "whom even I should have dons well to avoid; he, the most feared, ths most savage! Louis of Pfalt-Urfeld!" "Have you ever met him?" asked the , princess In a mechanical tone. "No," with a short laugh. "A few of his knaves I encountered, however, j whose conduct shamed the courtesy of " the other mountain rogues. I all bnt fared HI indeed from them. To the pleasantry of my greeting they replied with true pilferer's humor; the free - baron hod ordered every one searched. Tuey would nave robbed and stripped me, despite the color of my coat, only fortunately Instead of a fool's staff I Ohad a good blade of the duke's. For a moment It was cut and thrust?not Jest and gibe. The suddenness of the at0 tack surprised them, and before they could digest the humor of It the fool ?|iad slipped away." j "The duke would not be molested by these outlaws?" she continued, pursuing her line of questioning. "The duke has a strong arm," he answered cautiously. "They may be well content to permit him to come and go as be sees fit" "Well, well," she said perversely, "I was only curious about the distance and the country." "For leagues the land Is wild, bleak. Inhospitable, and then 'tis level, mo notonous, deserted, so lonely the song dies on the wandering minstrel's lips. But the duke rides fsafcwlth bis troop and soon would coref the mountain K paths and dreary wastes." "Kay." she Interrupted Impatiently, ' *1 aaked not bow the duke would ride." "1 thought you wished to know, princess," he replied humbly. , ~| "You thought," she began angrily, sitting erect "I know, princess, a fool should but |eat not think." "Why do yon crow as today V she demanded petulantly, "Can you not *HCr* . - | . Lmm the Rose RIC S. ISHAM, l "The Strollers'* OWEN-MERRILL COMPANY Abruptly she rose, Impatiently moved away, but few steps, however, wlien she turned, her face suddenly free from annoyance. In her eyes a soft decision. "There!" she exclaimed, with a smile half arch, half repentant. "How can any one be angry on such a day?all sunshine, butterflies and flowers?" lie did uot reply, and, mistress once more of herself, she drew near. "What a contrast to the stuffy palace, with nil the courtiers, ministers and lap dogs!" slie went on. "Hero one cau breathe. But how shall we make the most of stich a day. Stroll Into the forest; sit by the fountain; rim over the grass?" Her voice was softer than It had been; her words fraught with suggestions of exhilarating companionship. Dkl she note their effect? At any rate he lauched liarhtlv. "But how," she resumed, surveying her great infolding skirt, "could one trip the sward with this monstrous gown, weighted with wreaths of silver? Is It not but one of the many penalties of high birth? Oh, for the short skirts of the lowly! What comfort to he arrayed like Jacqueline!" "And she, princess, doubtless thinks likewise of more gorgeous apparel." Ells heart bent fnster as he strove to Answer her iu kind. j "A waste of cloth In vanity, ns snitb Master Calvin!" she replied, lifting her urma that.shone with creamy softness from the dangling folds of heavy silk. "Were It not for this courtly Incumbrance I should propose going into the i Behls with the haymakers. You may ice them now ?look?through the opening lu the foliage." With an expression part resignation, [>art regret, she leaned against tho wind worn gritiln which formed the irm of the bench. Fainter sounded :he warning of the jestress In the cars >f the duke's fool?so faint it became >ut a weak admonition. More nud nore he abandoned himself to the >le*sure of the moment. "To make the most of the day," the winces;) had said. How? Dy denying himself the sight o yield,to the charm of her Attd soiiet* tuood swayed hisr hu iuirot his resolution, his pride, and yield*1 to the Infatuation of the moment. 3ut when he endeavored to call the ivcapons of bis office to his aid, lier glance and the shadow of that smile eft hiin witless. Jest fancy and whim ind taken flight. "Well?" she said. "Well, Sir Fool?" His coloi shifted; withal his half smbarrassment there was something jraeeful and noble In his bearing. "Madam"? he begun and stopped for tvant of matter to put Into words. Hot If the princess was mnoved at Lhe new found dullness of her plnlsant, t;or manner did not show It. "What." she said gently. "No news iom the court; 110 word of intrigue; 10 story of the king? I should seek .1 courier for my companion, not a jests'. Hut there! What book have you ,/ought?". Indicating the volume tlmt ay upon the bench. "Uulllaume de I/orris* 'Romance of 1 he Rose,' " he answered more freely. "Where did we leave off?" "Where the hero, arriving a? a fountain, beheld a beautiful rose tree," said the fool In a low tone. "Desiring the rose, he reached to gather it"? "Yes, I remember. And then Reason and Danger did battle with Love." "la It your wish we continue?" he asked, taking the book in his hand. "1 would fain learn If he gathers bis rose. Nay, alt here on the bench and I"?brightly?"may look over your shoulder ever und anon to ateal a glimpse of the pretty pictures." Unquesttonlngly he obeyed her, the book, Illumined, gleaming In the sunshine; the letters, red, gold, many hued. dancing before them. Love In crimson, the five silver shafts of Cupid, the tower of jealousy, u frowalyg fortress; the rose, incentive for endless striving and endeavor?all floated by on the creamy parchment leaves. Ho Interested was she in these wondrous pages, executed with such precision and perfection, with marginal adornment and many a graceful turn aud fancy in Initial letter and tailpiece, she seemed to him for the moment rather some simple lowly maiden than a proud princess of the realm. "How much splendor the penman has shown!" she murmured, her breath on his cheek. "'Tls more beautiful than the 'Life of St. Agnes.' Is not that figure well done? A hard, austero old roan; Reason, I believe, In monkish attire." "Reason or Duty ever partakes of tho monastery," he retorted, with a short, mirthless laugh. "Dutv^bediencel" she broke in. "Do I not'know them? riease turn tho page.? "Oh, princess," he said wildly, "I know what the king hath told you! Why you wear the monarch's ring!" "The monarch's ring!" she repeated as recalled suddenly from wandering thought. "Why, how know you? Ah, Jacqueline"? "And a ring slgnlfleth consent. Tou will fulfill the king's desire?" "The king's desire?" she replied meekaDoaily. "It it not the will otQodr ? , 11 Ml "Then you wlir obey the king?" he persisted dully.. "Why." she answered, smiling and beiming nearer, 'w111 you spoil tho day t" "You would give yourself to n man whether or not you loved him?" ! A frown gathered oa tho princess' 1 brow, but she stooped, herself picked, up the book, lie had dropped, brushed the earth from it and seated herself upon the bench. Her manner was quiet, resolute; her uetiou a rebuke to the forward fool. "Will you not rcud?" she said, with an inscrutable look. "True," he exclaimed, rising quickly, "I was sent to amuse"? * "And you have found me n too exacting mistress?" she asked more gently, checking the Implied reproach. "Exacting!" ho repeated. "What then?" she said half sadly. "Nothing," he answered. Hut In liis mind Jacqueline's scornful words reiterated themselves. "Think you tlie princess will wear tlie willow?" Taking tiie book, he oppne.l It nt random. mechanically sinking nt her feet. The quest, the Idle quest! Was It but nu awakening? So fnr lay the branch above his reach! Ills voice rose anil fell with the mystic rhythm of the mei i ^ "Hoxo much splendor the penman has shown!" ter. now dwelling on death nud danger, the shortness of life, the sweetness of passion, then telling the pleasures of the dunce. Lower fell the princess' hand until It touched the reader's head; touched and lingered. Before the fool's eyes the letters of the book became blurred and then faded away. Doubt, misgiving. fear, vanished On the moment. The flower she had given him seemed IV MUl u v,. ..... ? ? decreo of the king, her equivocation, the unanswered question. Passionately he thrust his band Into his doublet. "The rose and love are one," he cried. "The rose Is"? "Pnrdon me, tundufu." said a voice, and Jacqueline, clear eyed, cnlni. stood before them. "The fan was not in the Icing's bedchamber or 1 should have been here sooner. I trust you have uot been put out for want of It?" "Not at all, Jacqueline." returned her mistress, with a natural, tranquil iuu\trim-in, aiiiiuu^ii ?suuq)iy? you were gone longer than you should have been!" CHAPTER VI. [AI Y IN anticipation of the arrival of 1^11J the duke and his suit, the C||S| monarch had ordered a series of festivities and entertainments such as would gratify his desire for pageantry and display and at tliu same time do honor to a guest who was to espouse one of France's fairest wards. Francis was unusually good humored that day. Apprised by-a. herald that the duke and his followers were neariug the castle, he had scut the messenger back announcing a trysting place and now rode forth to meet blm and escort him with honor to the castle. Right pleasantly, with quip and Jest nnd many n smart sally, did the monarch aud retinue draw near the meeting spot, where, at a fork of the road, beneuth the slmdc of overhanging branches, were already assembled a goodly group of soldiers. Beyond them, at a respectful distance, stood many beasts of burden, heavily luden, the great packs promising stores of rare and costly gifts. At the head of the troopers was a thickset man. with broad shoulders nnd brawny frame, mounted on a powerful gray home. This leader, whom the approaching company surmised to be the duke, sat motionless as n statue, gazing steadfastly at the shinlnir armor and enl lant figure of the king, who spurred to him, a friendly greeting on his lips. | Then, lightly springing to earth nud throwing his bridle to one of his troop, the foreign noble approached the royal horseman on foot and, bending his head, knelt before hlin, respectfully kissing his hand. ) Grim, silent, with hardened faces. I the duke's men regarded the scene, I their dusty attire (albeit rich enough beneath the marks of travel), sunburned visages and stolid manner In marked coutrast with the bearing and aspect of the king's gay following. One of tho alien troop pulled a red raustachlo fiercely and eyed a blithe popinjay of the court with quizzical superiority. The others remained stock still, but observant. "1 see you are punctual and waiting, noble sir," said the monarch gayly when the initial formalities had been complied with. "But that Is no more than should be expected from?an Impatient bridegroom." Then, gazing curiously, yet with penetrating look, on the features his gue^ jybo qow Ji?d i i arisen. "You appear slightly older tn I expected from the letter of our dc friend nud brother, the emperor." Ami truly the duke's appearance w thai of d uiau more. nearly Ave hi thirty than tivc ?ud twenty. Ills fa was brown from exposure and up< bis brow the , scar of au old swo wound, yet a fearless, dashing count ?nance, an eye that could kindle headlong passion and a thickset ne< and heavy Jaw that bespoke the fc man who would battle to tlie la breath. "Older, sire?" he replied, with coi posure. "That must needs be, sin living iu the saddle ages a man." "Truly," returned the monarch, i stinelively laying bis hand upon h sword. "The clash of arms, the thu der of hoofs, the waving banners?y? glory Is a seductive mistress who rol us of our youtji. Have I not wooed h and found?gray hairs? Who shall gl1 me back those days?" "History, your majesty, shall gk them to posterity," answered the duk "Even those we lost to Charles muttered the king, a shadow pussli over his countenance. "Glory, sire. Is a mistress somethm fickle In her fuvors." "And yet we live but for"? I! broke off abruptly and with the eye < a trained coufiunudcr surveyed tl duke's men. "Daredevils, daredevi nlll" be muttered. "Rough looking fellows, sire," npol gized the duke, "but tried and fait ful soldiers.' Somewhat dusty ar road worn." And his eyes turnt meaningly to the king's suit?the flas Ing girdles of silver, the shining hilt the gorgeous cloaks and ovnn *1 adornment of ribbons. "Nnj," said Francis meditative!; "on n rough Journey I would fain ha\ these Are eaters nt my back. The look as though they could cut an hew." "Moderately well, your majesty," ai awered the duke, with modesty. "Will you "mount, noble sir. and ri<] with me? Yonder Is the castle, an In the castle is a certain fair lad whom you no doubt fain would see." Long gazed the Duke df Frledwal nt the distant veuerable pile of Btou< the mnjeBtic turrets and towers softl floating in a dreamy mist; the settin; fresh, woody, green. Long he IooLc at tills luvittng picture and the breathed deeply. "Ah, sire. I would the meeting wer overl" he rctnnrkcd in a low ' ?lce. "Why so, sir?" asked the king lu sui prise. "Do.you fear you will not far cy the lady 1" "I fear she may not fancy me," n torted the nobleman Boberly. "You own remark, sire, that I appear olde than you hid expected?" he continue gravely, significantly. "A recommendation lu your favor, laughed tint monarch. "I ever prefc sober maotiood to callow youth abor the offiofevtr tvbu >h?nrray <il\ ._t r i r* and tlinf or breaks when you press t<)o hard.'t "I should be " lacking in gratitud were I ngt deeply'appreciative of yot majesty's kindness." replied the duk his fncc flushing fwltli pleasure, "Bt your majesty knows womaukind"? "Nay. I've studied them a little", bi know them not," retorted Franc! dryly. "And It is flhlikely the lady may fln me all her Imagination has depicted, went on the nobleman, with palpnbl embarrassment. "My noble maste the emperor, hath?regarding me stl as but a stripling from his own vai tagc point of age and wisdom?repr* sented me a young man In his pr posals. v But, though I'm younger tbn I look arid feel no older than 1 am, ho young or how old shall. I seem to tt princess?" "Young enough to be her huslmu< old enough for her to look up to," a swcrcd the monarch reassuringly. "Again," objected the duke, medit lively regarding the castle, "she nu be expecting a handsome, debona bridegroom, and when she see.s me ruefully surveying himself, "what w she say?" "What'will she say? 'Yes' at the t tar. Is it not enough?" Leaning ba< in his saddle, the king's face express* the enjoyment he derived front tl conversation with the backward at too conscientious soldier. Here was groont whose wedding promised t! court nttlch amusement and satisfa tion In those Jovial days of Jesting ai merrymaking. "Conte,'' resumed the king encoura Ingly, "I'll warrant you more forwa In battle." "Battle!" said the duke. "That's a other matter. To see your foeuiai gleaming eyes?but hers? Should tb express anger, disdain"? "Let yours show but the great wrath." advised the king complaisai ly. "In love like cures like. I^et me your physician. I'll warrant you'll 111 me proficient." "I've heard your majesty hath prr ttced deeply," returned the noble re.i lly In spite of his perplexity. "Deeply?" I'rnucis lifted his hro "I am but a superficial student, mast only of the rudiments, no graduate the college of love. Moreover, I' heard the letters vou exchanged wc ?nhem?well enough writ. You press your suit warmly for one unlearned, mere novice." "Because I had seen her face, yo majesty; had It ever before me In I painted miniature. Any man," with rough eloquence and fervor that 1 pressed the king with the depth of 1 passion, "could well worship at tl fair shrine, but that she"? "Forward, I beg yon." Interrupt the king. "Womankind are but fr flesh, sir; easily molded, easily w< She in a woman, therefoM soft, yle Ing, yours for the asking. You are ov valorous at a distance, too timoro near her. Approach her boldly, ai though she were Diana's self. I'll i tTvar for yotpr-victory, ?Rh. Trlboul i * ?*.. i- . an nro otir Indies cold hearted, callous, in nv different to merit?" "Cold hearted?" ouswered the dwarf u3 with a ludir runs expression of feigned l;d rapture. "Were I to relate?but, no cc my t>ngue la silent?discretion, youi ou majesty will understand"? rt* | "Well." said the duke, "with encoure" : ngement from the best favored sebolui in tl:e kingdom r.nd the?upliest, 1 should proceed with more conlldence." "Pest favored?" smirked the little 1,1 monster. "Itenlly. you flutter me.". ., I "A whimsical fellow, sire," vouchu snfed the nobleman, co ( "When lie Is not tiresome." answered the monarch. "On, gentlemen!" And u- the cavalcade swept down the road lis toward the castle. Fur behind, with n- crocking of whip, followed the mules 'a. and their drivers. L>3 cr . CHAPTER VII. k'? w ' N a spacious hall, begllt. benilr5[ a rored. assembled on the evenk ? At rSS ,nK of duke's arrival e. Francis, his court and the l" guest of the occasion. From wide spreading chandeliers, with their pendent. pear shaped crystals, a thousand es candles throw a flood of light upon the scene, as mid trumpet blast and softer fe strains of harmony King Francis and good Queen Eleanor led the way to u? the royal table nnd thereat, shortly 's after, at n signal from the monarch, the company seated themselves. ?~ At the head of the hoard was the h" king; on his right, his lawful consort, 'd pale, composed, saintly; ou his left, tho d Countess d'Etampes, rosy, animated, free. Next to the fn?irite sat tho a? "fairest among the learned and most 10 learned among the fair," Marguerite, beloved sister of Francis, nnd lier secr. ond husband, Henry d'Albret, king of Navarre; opposite. Henry the dauphin T nnd his spouse, Catharine do' Medici; d not far removed, Diane do Poitiers, whose dnrk eyes Henry ever openly a- sought, while Catharine complacently talked affairs of state with the chanle eellor. d In the midst of this illustrious comy pnny, and further surrounded by a plentiful sprinkling of ruddy cardinals, d fat bishops, constables, governors, mnre. shals nnd Indies, more or less disy tinguished through birth or beauty. nu* iiuko or i-riedwald and the Prind cess Louise were a center of attraction n for the wits whose somewhat free jests the license of the times permitted. At e the foot of the royal table places had . been provided for Marot. Caillette, Trlhoulet, Jacqueline and the duke's fool. ? The heads and figures of the ladles of the court were for the most part 5- fearfully and wonderfully bedecked, r in some Instances the horn shaped r headdress had been followed by yet d loftier steeples, "battlements to combat God with gold, silver and pearls, wherein the lances were great forked >r plus and thcTarrows the little pins." it With more simplicity the Princess Gould tsn wore her hair cased in n network of It French tnoralist who nssuneu iub i,.?u er bristling ramparts of vanity would [e perhaps have borne In silence this ir more modest bastion of the flesh and e. the devil. it But the face bcueath was a greater danger to those who hold that beauty it Is a menace to salvation. On her cheek is hung the rosy banner of youth. In her eyes shone the bright arrows of cond quest. And the duke, discarding bis backwardness, as a soldier his cloak le before battle, watched the hue that r. mantled her face, proffered his open II breast to the shining lances of her a- gaze and capitulated unconditionally c- before the smile of victory ou her blood n. red lips. With his great shoulders, his m massive neck and broad, virile face he w seemed n Cyclops among pygmies In io 'hat gathering of slender courtiers, and she but a flower by bis side, j. "1 thought, sire, your duke was Until orons, bashful as a boy?" murmured the Countess d'Etnmpes to the king, a- "He was?on the road!" answered the iy king thoughtfully. ir -men uas lie murveiousiy recovered >f" his assurance." Ill "In love, madam, as in battle, the zest grows with the fray," said Frnuil cis, with meaning, jk "And the duke is reputed a brave E?d soldier. He looks very strong, as if? Ue almost?he might succeed with any id woman he were minded to carry off." u "To carry off!" laughed the monarch, ho "'TIs he, madam, who will be bound ic- lu tethers. At heart lie's shamefaced ad os n callow younker." She willfully shook her head. "No g. woman could keep him in lending rd strings, your majesty. There Is something domineering, savage, crushing, n- in his hand. Look at It on the table i's there. Is It not mighty as an iron Py gauntlet? What other man at the board has such a brutal hand? The or strength in It makes me shudder. Will !t- she not bend to It; kiss it?" ho With amused superiority Francis read gnrded his fair neighbor on the loft. "Women, madam, are but hasty judges ic- of men," lie said dryly, "and then 'tis id- fancy more than reason which governs their verdict. If the duke should w. seem overconfident 'tis to hide a eer er tain modesty, and not to nppenr out ol of confidence In so large a company." ve "And yet. sire, at their first meetlns re be (lid not comport himself like on< ed easily put out," persisted the favorite , n "' 'Tia with n cold hand you wolconn me, princess,' he said, noticing her in mr sensibility of manner. Then rising h< ho gazed upon her long and deep, as i ? fiftlrllni* mirrlif aurvov a hntflnflolil A ?/ I J| ?U. .VJ II Winnvi.vm. '??! m- yet.' said he, still holding her fingers Ills 'I'll warrant me warm blood cotlh mt course through this little hand.' A that the color rose In her cheek. He :e i hold, the statue was touched with life all Qn<l 8he looked at him as drawi an. against her will! 'If my hand be cold hi- my lord,' she answered courteously, 'i er- belies the character of your welcome, us Whereupon he iuughed like one wli ad. has had a victory." in- "Beshrew me," said the king, modi Itt. fylng bis }n%{ observation, "If woope: ,? ?TjT"^ "la not the wln<\ to ypHr-liklugl" .lio nsked, bis hand tightening on her eliair. "Perhaps It is-too sour for your taste?" "Nay. I thought it rather sweet," she answered. "Oh, I meant not thitt*'? "It Is sweet wine, princess." he said, setting down an erirnty glass. "Sweeter than our Austrian vintage. Not white and thin and watery, but redred as blood, red as your heart's blood or mine." Crash! Tram the band of the duke's Jester had fallen a goblet to the floor. The priucess started, turned. For n moment their glances bridged the distance from where she sat to the fools' end of the table. Then hers slowly fell; slowly, and she passed a hand whereon shone the king's ring across her brow; looked up, as though once more to span infinity with her gaze, when her eyes fell short and met the duke's. Deliberately be lifted his filled glass. "Hod as your heart's blood and mine, my love," lie repeated, and then stared sharply across the table at his Jester. Triboulet, staggering in his chair so high his feet could not touch the floor, surveyed the broken glass, the duke nti/1 rliibft'e fnnl "Ho. ho!" he bellowed, the better to attract attention to himself. "The duke sent his fool to amuse his betrothed, [ and the fool hath lost his henrt to his 1 mistress." . The king left off his whispering, i Catharine turned from the chancellor, Dlauo ceased furtively to regard Call* lette, while the queen . of .Navarro laughed nervously and murmured: [ "Princess and jester! It will make " another tale." Rut Henry of Navarre looked gravely down. lie and Francis' queen, a passive spectator at the feast, and a bishop whose Interest lay in a truffled capon alone followed not the direction of the duke's eyes. The fair favorite t of the king clapped her hands, but the i monarch frowned, not having forgot ten that night in Fools' hall when the I Jester had appointed rogues to offices. "What is this? A fool in love with ' the princess?" said the king ominously. "Even so, your majesty!" cried Trl5 boulet. "Rut a moment ago Duke Robi ert did Svhisper to his bride to be, and \ the fool's hand trembled like a leaf and dropped his glass! Tnv la, la! 3 What a situation! Holy St. Bagpipe! 4 Here's a comedy In high life!" 1 "A comedy!" repeated the duke and t half rose from his ehnir, regarding his 1 fool with surprise and anger, t Now Trihoulet roared. Had Ifo not in the pnst attained his high position (< of favorite Jester to the king by his n very foolhardibood? And were hot I trusting lovers and all too confiding t husbands the legitimate butt of all ;? Jesting? o "1-ook at the fool!" he tvr-d on exnltant'y "Does any one. ?' <uht Ma Iit ou *??... ?*???rr nre uot nil eyes and ears! I. neither hoard nor saw all that. A little con- * , straint? a, natural blush to punctuate . I their talk-the meeting .seemed con\teu- ' , tioual enough. /'J"ls through your?o\vji . romantic heart you looked. Anne."Quicker circulated the goblets of sll ver, gold and crystal; foster hobbled . . the pretty lips; brighter grew tlie eyes beneath the stupendous towers thnt ' crowned the heads of the court-ladle*. .. > All talked "at once without disturbing * ' the king, who now * whiskered' *SOTt* * * * nothings 'In tlW "ear 'of" thc*.coutMees?. From the other tables in the ball arose a varying cadence of clatter and laughter. which increased with the' noise-; and din of tlnr king's own bard,' n clamor always just subservient to the deeper chorus of the royal party, an accompaniment, as It were, full, yet unobtrusive, to the hubbub from the more exalted company. Singularly pale, unusually tranquil, the duke's fool furtively watched his master and the princess. In contrast to his composure Jacqueline's mcrrt-' ment sccincd the more unrestrained. She laughed like a witch, her hands, flashed with pretty gestures, and she bad so tossed her head her hair floated around her, wild and disordered. "Why nre you so quiet?" she wills-" pcred to the duke's fool. ' "Is there not enough merriment, mistress?" he answered gravely.. "There can never be any to spare," she said. "And you would do well to remember your ollice." "What do you mean?" he asked absently. "That ynu have many enemies; that yon cannot live at court with a jaun- ^ diced countenance. Ilcig'.io! Alnckudny! You should hie yourself back to the woods and barren wastes of Fried wnld, Master Fool." Her sparkling glance returned to the exhilarating scene. Well had the 'assemblage been called a court of love; Now soft eyes Invited burning glances, nnd graceful heads swayed allurlugjy toward the handsome eavnliers wlib momentarily had found lodgment fn hearts which, like palaces, had many antechambers. From hidden recesses strains of music tilled the room with tinkling passages of sensuous but Illusive harmony, a dream of ardor masked In the daintiness of a minuet. Upon the hack of the princess' chair rested one of the duke's hands. With the other lie lifted his glass, a frail thing In fingers better adapted for a B'.vord hilt or massive battle mace! "Drink, princess," he said, bending ' over her, "to?our meeting!" Her eyelids fluttered before his look. Her breast rose a little. The sear on his' brow held her gaze, as One fascinated. but she drew away slightly and mechanically sought the tiny golden ' goblet at her elbow. Dreamily, dreamily sounded the rhythmical music; heavily, heavily hung the perfume in the air. Fuli of mist seemed the hall; the king, the queen, the countess, all 6T The touch